Spiritual Contemplations for those who serve the Lord |
"After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go." (Luke 10:1) At the point of sending out the seventy apostles (according to the Coptic Tradition they are seventy-two) on the important mission of teaching about the kingdom of God, the Lord Jesus Christ has given them a set of perennial advice applicable in today's service and useful to those who serve Him. Praying for the Service and those Served Our Lord Himself recommended praying "Then He said to them, ‘The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’" (Luke 10:2). "The harvest" refers to service itself and "the laborers" refer to the servants. Prayer is the foundation of the success of service, the pledge that binds the servants together, with the bond of brotherly love. It is noticeable that prayer is a deep mystical tie that connects "the Lord of the harvest" Himself with the servant and those served. Here lies the secret of the success of some services and servants more so than others. Trusting Only in God's Support A prerequisite set by the Lord Himself, which entails in His words, "Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals;" (Luke 10:3-4). A servant is called to be neither afraid of hazards nor concerned about the needs of his own personal life or those of his service. God is both the sender and provider. He is capable of moving hearts and covering all areas of demands through His blessings only. A paradoxically astounding incident in the life of Elijah is God's dispatching him to a poor, needy widow who would take care of him while she herself was in dire need. "See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you" (1 Kings 17:9). What a clear message from God that He is the one in charge. He is capable of using means and tools unfathomable by the human mind. Keeping Focused "…and greet no one along the road" (Luke 10:4). This command is a call for unshaken, unmoved concentration on service. One of the dangerous attacks against this generation of servants is distraction caused by relations with others and preoccupation with social events and occasions. Lord Jesus Christ's servants are not meant to be isolated or non participants; but while being involved in the community, they are to guard their minds and feelings against distractions caused by relations and worldly affairs, knowing that God's service takes priority in time and devotion. Such servants know very well how to participate in communal life with brotherly love fulfilling St. Paul's words, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15); without losing focus on the main objective of his mission in service; but utilizing all the social duties to deepen the bond of brotherly love and bring people to God. The best example of the most rounded servant is Lord Jesus Himself; He attended the wedding at Cana and turned the water into wine symbolizing His redemptive love. He wept with Martha and Mary at Lazarus' tomb and raised him from the dead causing many people to believe in Him. Being a Peacemaker "But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’" (Luke 10:5). One of the most prominent signs of successful service is granting peace to those served. Lord Jesus has granted it to His disciples as a distinct, unequalled blessing "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you" (John 14:27). Therefore, it behooves God's servants to be searchers, pursuers and establishers of that peace in themselves and among people. The establishment of peace is an important sign of a spiritually successful service. It is just illogical for such servant to claim or imagine being a servant of the King of Peace while not in peace with himself or in strife with anyone of his social circle. St. Paul is emphatic about this issue saying, "But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God" (1 Corinthians 11:16). Guarding against Appearance Deception
"Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20). What is striking about these words of the Lord is that while He has given His disciples (and subsequently faithful believers) the power over demons and the authority to cast them out, He commands them not to put much weight or rejoice in the external feature of the act. God does not care the least about appearances. Therefore He expects His servants to exhibit the same attitude. He warns against getting deceived by the outward form or fruit of a service. After his long epilogue concerning the spiritual gifts, He concluded saying "But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31); after which He spoke about the importance of love. Jesus Christ demanded of His disciples to focus on the most important and precious thing in service and that is the Kingdom of God and eternal life both being the main true goals of any service. A class or meeting full of attendees may be pleasing to the sight of a servant as he walks in to offer whatever service. However, true joy and satisfaction should be brought not by the size of the attendees but by the repentance of its members. God is gracious to grant us alert hearing and sharp ears similar to those of our beloved pure apostles so that in our service we may fulfill the Lord Jesus Christ's commandments to the last breath
0 Comments
|
AboutMonthly articles for servants. Adapted from HGBY and other fathers' writings. Archives
April 2022
Categories
All
|